Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs secured their first victory of the NBA season on Saturday, October 24, 2026, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 122-106 on the road. Wembanyama led the charge with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks, helping the finalists bounce back from opening defeats against Oklahoma City and Houston.
Overcoming a Slow Start in Texas
The third outing proved decisive for San Antonio after early-season struggles. The Mavericks kept pace early despite missing Cooper Flagg to a shoulder injury and resting Kyrie Irving. Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington kept Dallas close at 32-31, before Sergio de Larrea sparked a 10-0 run to give the hosts a 47-41 lead in the second quarter.
San Antonio responded before halftime. De’Aaron Fox and Wembanyama combined for 20 points during a 27-13 run that put the visitors ahead 68-60 at the break. Wembanyama scored 18 of his 23 points across the second and third periods, finishing 9-for-18 from the field.
Les @Spurs et @Wemby décrochent leur première victoire de la saison ! 23 POINTS 7 REBONDS4 BLOCKS2 ASSISTS pic.twitter.com/8NX9fipOh9
“On a commencé à avoir de bons tirs sur chaque position,” Wembanyama noted after the game, explaining that better shot selection changed the dynamic.
Holding Off the Mavericks
The Spurs extended their lead to 14 points early in the third quarter following a 9-0 surge. However, top 2024 draft pick Zaccharie Risacher ignited a Dallas comeback, scoring 9 of his 11 points in the third period to pull the Mavericks within three points at 92-89.
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.basketusa.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F10%2Fspurs-20261025.webp "Photo: basketusa.com")
San Antonio slammed the door in the final frame with a 17-5 run capped by a three-pointer from Dylan Harper. Wembanyama punctuated the victory with a late alley-oop dunk and a drawn foul, while Julian Champagnie added a dunk to seal the 122-106 final score.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists/Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs | 23 | 7 | 4 Blocks |
| Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs | 22 | – | – |
| De’Aaron Fox | San Antonio Spurs | 19 | – | 9 Assists |
| Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs | 19 | – | 8 Assists |
| Zaccharie Risacher | Dallas Mavericks | 11 | – | – |
Head coach Mitch Johnson kept the post-game locker room focused rather than celebratory. Wembanyama relayed his coach’s demanding tone, stating, C’est comme si nous avions perdu. Mitch Johnson nous a parlé de façon inspirante afin de donner le ton pour le reste de la saison.
Contasting Fortunes Across the League
The Spurs look to build on their momentum with upcoming games against Sacramento and Utah, while Wembanyama continues adjusting to a compressed preparation window.
League-Wide Results
Elsewhere across the league, Houston secured a 121-14 victory at Atlanta behind 22 points from veteran Kevin Durant, while Washington claimed its second win of the season by defeating Chicago 124-120 thanks to 25 points and 9 assists from Trae Young and 22 points and 9 rebounds from Kyshawn George. In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 42 points and Nikola Jokic added 35 points and 15 rebounds to push the Nuggets past New Orleans 141-135 in overtime.
